National: Inflation has decreased, but the Inflation Reduction Act is not responsible

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President Joe Biden expressed some regrets about the name of the Inflation Reduction Act as the one-year anniversary of the law approaches. While the law did not immediately curb prices as intended, there has been a decrease in the inflation rate over the past year from 9% to 3.2%. However, economists argue that the drop in inflation cannot be attributed to the law. Harvard University economist Jason Furman stated that he cannot think of any mechanism by which the law would have reduced inflation. He did mention that the law may eventually contribute to lower electricity bills due to its investments in addressing climate change.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law on its one-year anniversary, aimed to tackle rising prices and curb inflation. However, it has become increasingly evident that the law did not have a significant impact on reducing inflation. While there has been a decrease in the inflation rate over the past year, economists argue that this drop cannot be directly attributed to the law’s provisions.

Jason Furman, an economist from Harvard University, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the Inflation Reduction Act in reducing inflation. He stated that he cannot think of any mechanism by which the law would have directly contributed to lowering prices. Furman noted that other factors, such as global supply chain disruptions and shifts in consumer behavior, likely played a more significant role in the decrease in inflation.

Despite the lack of immediate impact on inflation, the Inflation Reduction Act does include provisions that may have long-term effects. One area where the law may eventually make a difference is in addressing climate change and reducing electricity bills. The law includes investments in clean energy and infrastructure, which could lead to lower energy costs in the future. While these effects may not be directly related to inflation reduction, they could have positive implications for consumers and the environment.

As the Inflation Reduction Act reaches its one-year milestone, it is clear that the law did not achieve its primary goal of immediately curbing prices. However, it is important to consider the broader context and other factors that may have influenced the decrease in inflation over the past year. While economists like Jason Furman question the direct impact of the law on inflation, there are potential long-term benefits in areas such as clean energy and infrastructure that may have positive effects on consumers.

Original Story at www.wdrb.com – 2023-08-13 11:31:53

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